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Ninety-Five and Still The Headline Act: Rupert Murdoch leaves his 95th birthday party at The Grill in Manhattan Saturday, accompanied by his wife Elena Zhukova and son Lachlan. (Credit: Jesse Ward/COPYRIGHT: BREAKER MEDIA)
Welcome to a special edition of Breaker. In recent weeks, we have been struggling to come up with a present for Rupert Murdoch’s 95th birthday on Wednesday. What do you get the man who has everything?
In tonight’s edition, you’ll see we gave the media mogul an old-school tabloid stakeout as his birthday present (plus a surprise extra gift!).
The worlds of politics, media, sport, and entertainment all collided on Saturday night in Manhattan to celebrate Murdoch, and only Breaker was there to capture all the power players in technicolor glory.
Mentioned tonight: Rupert Murdoch, Elena Zhukova, Lachlan Murdoch, Sarah Murdoch, Rebekah Brooks, Charlie Brooks, Robert Thomson, Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Hugh Jackman, Lord Rothermere, Tony Blair, Keith Poole, Steven Rubenstein, Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, Dana Blumberg, Roger Goodell, Prudence Murdoch, James Murdoch, Barry Diller, Elisabeth Murdoch, Les Hinton, Kath Raymond Hinton, Glenn Youngkin, Col Allan, Chase Carey, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Paul Ryan, Doug Burgum and more.
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Still Making Headlines at 95
(World Exclusive.) On Saturday afternoon, we left the Breaker downtown bureau and headed uptown. Earlier in the week, we had received a tip-off that Rupert Murdoch was having his 95th birthday party at The Grill in Midtown.
When we arrived with our snapper, Jesse Ward, dozens of News Corp and Fox security officials were standing outside. Our trademark fedora may have been a giveaway that, while our invitation was surely lost in the mail, we were attending nonetheless.
Soon after, key Murdoch figures started arriving. Steven Rubenstein, Murdoch's longtime PR consigliere, was followed by News UK CEO Rebekah Brooks and husband Charlie. Then came Lachlan Murdoch and his wife, Sarah, followed by the man of the hour, Rupert, accompanied by his wife Elena Zhukova.
Inside, former Murdoch editors rubbed shoulders with the former leaders of Spain and the United Kingdom over cocktails while a large security contingent lingered outside. When it was time to sit down, former News International CEO Les Hinton landed on the floor — a result of a broken chair.
Lachlan and Sarah were seated next to former Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin and his wife, Suzanne. News UK CEO Rebekah Brooks was MC, with speeches from News Corp CEO Robert Thomson, Lachlan, and Zhukova. Donald Trump sent a video message.
But it was Rupert's speech that guests would later tell Breaker was the highlight of their night. Murdoch talked about his pride in being American before going on to praise his son, Lachlan; “I’m proud of you, the son you are and leader you have become,” and said that there was more work for the company to crack on with, noting the A.I. revolution.
Notably absent were James, Elisabeth, and Prudence Murdoch following the Nevada family trust legal action that was dubbed “Project Harmony.” It was left to fellow Aussie, Hugh Jackman, to close out the night with a rousing rendition of Peter Allen’s “I Still Call Australia Home.”
As guests started departing, a representative from FOX delivered Breaker a slice of Rupert Murdoch’s birthday cake. After standing outside for eight hours, the sugar hit from the delicious frosting was just the jolt we needed to get back to the Breaker bureau to get the presses ready for this special edition. Below, please enjoy our picture report from the Murdoch birthday party.
We will be back in your Inbox on Tuesday with more photos from the Murdoch party and more saucy scooplets. If you have a tip, contact the 24/7 Breaker Tip Hotline via text or Signal # 551 655 2343. Subscribe to Breaker here, and if you would like to support old school boots on the ground reporting, you can upgrade here.
What Do You Get The Man Who Has Everything? Breaker Gifted Rupert Murdoch A Lifetime Subscription to Breaker for his 95th Birthday (Credit: Jesse Ward/COPYRIGHT: BREAKER MEDIA)
What’s In The Envelope? Breaker Handed Murdoch’s Present – a lifetime subscription to Breaker – to News UK boss Rebekah Brooks, Who Later Told Us She Had Given It To Murdoch (Credit: Jesse Ward/COPYRIGHT: BREAKER MEDIA)
The Best Mo In Media: Former Fox CEO Chase Carey Gives Breaker a Friendly Handshake (Credit: Jesse Ward/COPYRIGHT: BREAKER MEDIA)
Lachlan Meet Lachlan: Lachlan Murdoch Gives Breaker a Warm Embrace at his Father's 95th Birthday Bash as Wife Sarah Watches On (Credit: Jesse Ward/COPYRIGHT: BREAKER MEDIA)
No Hint Of Slowing Down: Former News International CEO Les Hinton arrives at the bash with his wife Kath Raymond Hinton (Credit: Jesse Ward/COPYRIGHT: BREAKER MEDIA)
A Daily Beast: Barry Diller, a longtime friend of Rupert Murdoch’s, exits the party (Credit: Jesse Ward/COPYRIGHT: BREAKER MEDIA)
Blair Rich Project: Former British PM Tony Blair leaves the Murdoch birthday bash (Credit: Jesse Ward/COPYRIGHT: BREAKER MEDIA)
Kraft Work: New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and wife Dana Blumberg leave the shindig (Credit: Jesse Ward/COPYRIGHT: BREAKER MEDIA)
Kush and Tell: Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump leave the party surrounded by their Secret Service detail (Credit: Jesse Ward/COPYRIGHT: BREAKER MEDIA)
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⁘ As credited in The New York Times, CNBC, Axios, The New York Post, CNN, Bloomberg, The Guardian, and more.